Turizm Motivasyonu Olarak Fotoğraf Çekme: Fotoğraf Amaçlı Seyahat Eden Bireyler Üzerine Bir İnceleme (Photography as Tourism Motivation: An Investigation on Persons Traveling for Photography)

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 21st century, photography has increased its importance with the development of technology and has become the focus of people. While a large number of people who want to spend their free time have an important alternative activity with technology, taking photographs has become an important travel motivation. The aim of this study is to analyze the motivation to travel with the motivation of taking photographs through the people who travel for the purpose of taking photographs. Data were obtained by using semi-structured interview technique from 93 individuals who were engaged in photography, who participated in photographic travels and who participated in photography-related activities, and the findings were revealed through descriptive analysis. When the findings were examined, it was seen that the photographers / participants took photographs for their recreational motivations individually or in groups, they shared these photographs intensively with their surroundings and they could travel only to take photographs. The main factor influencing the selection of travel destinations is the availability of areas suitable for photographing. It has been observed that individuals traveling from place to place to take photographs are also involved in various tourism activities such as experiencing local food and drinks, purchasing local products. Interactions between the participants' demographic characteristics and participation levels were determined.